Spencer missed the team's week four game against Chicago with a strained pectoral muscle

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According to reports, Cowboys outside linebacker Anthony Spencer returned to practice on Thursday, a sign that he may be available for the team’s match-up with the Ravens in Baltimore on Sunday. Spencer missed the Bears game before the bye week with a strained pectoral muscle, and was limited to participating in a single practice last week. He had not practiced at all this week before Thursday.

If Spencer doesn’t play--due to a setback, or whatever--Victor Butler will replace him in the starting lineup. Alex Albright will likely get a share of the snaps at the outside linebacker spot opposite DeMarcus Ware as well, if he recovers from a neck injury in time.

"It's not so much competition for those guys," Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett said, per ESPN Dallas. "You try and figure out who do you have left and what role they fit best. Alex has been a really good special teams player for us. We feel he deserves an opportunity to play a little bit on defense when we can get him in there.

“Victor has done a nice job for us on defense. We're all hopeful that Spence can play and will get healthier and healthier as the week goes on. We do have a couple of those young guys to be able to fit a role on defense and on (special) teams is something we look forward to seeing.”

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